Update on Nissan LEAF Battery Replacement

[LTLFTcomposite]

Any update on improving the heat resistance of the battery? Looks like the current ones are good for about three years here, and now we have a number... almost $2000/year for batteries. Even if electricity is free, I'll be spending more on batteries than I would on gas if that's all the longer they last.

[JPWhite]

WOW
Like Christmas in June
SELLING replacement battery with trade in core for $229 per kWh.
Build a big enough battery pack and $400 to $600 per kWh are a thing of the past

Indeed this is good news. I especially like the bit about the replacement packs being the Lizard battery *and* you get a new warranty!! Wonder if the range will improve for 2011/12 MY LEAF's if the modules are lighter per the 2013 design changes?

I've saved over $6600 since buying my LEAF, which means I can continue to benefit from driving this car until it literally falls apart. The value of my LEAF just went up for me. I don't have to 'baby' the battery anymore.

The only point I'd like clarification on is regarding the price. Is the replacement battery price guaranteed for a fixed period of time from today or can it go up/down without notice from this point forward? Will price changes be immediate or with made after a suitable 'notice period'.

Thanks for announcing the program here Mr Brockman, I had concerns we had discouraged Nissan from communicating with us here due to the negative input from some. Thanks for having the requisite 'thick skin'.

[Weatherman]

Any update on improving the heat resistance of the battery? Looks like the current ones are good for about three years here, and now we have a number... almost $2000/year for batteries. Even if electricity is free, I'll be spending more on batteries than I would on gas if that's all the longer they last.

Of course, the first replacement (at about 40,000 miles, for us South Floridians) will be free, under warranty. The second one, assuming a more durable battery, may be at the 90,000+ mile mark. Not too bad a deal.

[JPWhite]

Any update on improving the heat resistance of the battery? Looks like the current ones are good for about three years here, and now we have a number... almost $2000/year for batteries. Even if electricity is free, I'll be spending more on batteries than I would on gas if that's all the longer they last.

Mr Brockman did confirm that this is the more durable chemistry that goes in the 2015 models.

[Kataphn]

This is going to make a lot of people very happy! Me included.

Thank you to all who made this happen. Special kudos to evchels.

You are welcome!

[evnow]

This tells me that $5000 figure they quoted to get double the range was not an error. Nissan's price/kWh for the battery is quite low (considering the retail price is < $275/kWh). If they can fit it is - we should be able to get a 150 mile Leaf for just $5k more.

[LTLFTcomposite]

Mr Brockman did confirm that this is the more durable chemistry that goes in the 2015 models.

Sorry in my excitement I read right past that.

I'm a lot more enthusiastic about staying on board the Leaf train than I was an hour ago. Now I need to figure out my strategy:

I opted out, so buying out the lease looks like a bad idea, plus it's a 2012 with the 3kw charger, so I'm thinking that one goes back to Nissan no matter what. Maybe I really do want to try to find a 2014 with the old battery? Does my opt-out only pertain to the car I have, not a future one (ie would I get the 5yr 60k warranty on a 2014?). Or do 2014s maybe have the lizard battery too?

[kmp647]

this seems like a good deal all round. to those who say you should be able to keep your old battery consider this. As we all know HV DC current kills , it would be a bad idea for Nissan or any other mfr to have a program that doesnt encourage the return of the old battery for recycling.

Now we need some dealer service dpartments to be REASONABLE with the labor charges to install the battery.

I wont be buying a new pack as I have a 2012 with the 3.3kw obc

But I can see this being useful escpecially if NMAC loans you the dough at a resonable rate!

[pkulak]

Wow, I gotta say I'm floored. First by the price (which is quite reasonable, I gotta say) and almost more so with the transparency. Admitting that the price includes "stealing" (haha) the old battery (which I'm 100% in favor of if it's what lets you keep the price down), telling us it's the "lizard" battery, mentioning the possibility of financing, etc.

This really changes the entire perception of the car for me. I was 100% going to give mine up after my lease, but now I'm going to seriously consider putting miles on it with reckless abandon and buying it for my residual instead. I'm not 100% sure, but I really don't think electric cars will age the same way that gassers do. My suspicion is that a brand new battery in an 8-year-old Phoenix Leaf would make that car feel very close to new.

[smkettner]

Great to hear the LEAF owners have not been abandoned. I might still be driving mine if this could have been announced six months ago.